The Belfry - Adaptive Reuse and Affordable Housing Conversion in Minneapolis

Project Overview:

The Belfry project exemplifies thoughtful adaptive reuse and affordable housing innovation in Minneapolis. Originally home to Calvary Church (1930) and a school/parish house (1953), the campus underwent a dynamic transformation—converting historic spaces into multi-functional housing while respecting their community roots.

Church Renovation & Adaptive Reuse:

  • Sanctuary Repurposing:
    The original sanctuary, once dedicated to worship, now serves as a flexible multi-purpose and meeting space for Calvary Church alongside its new residential function.
  • Sanctuary Floor Strengthening:
    With no original drawings available, BKBM led site investigations and destructive/non-destructive testing to assess the existing slab and beam design. To level the historically sloped sanctuary floor, we specified strengthening with external fiber-reinforcement, allowing for lightweight cellular concrete infill. The team collaborated on selecting a lightweight fill material that met both structural and construction needs.
  • Accessibility & Modernization:
    Renovations included elevator upgrades, new wheelchair lift installation, and modifications to entryways for improved accessibility. Roof reinforcement and new roof hatches accommodated updated mechanical systems atop the school building.
  • Complex Sewer Retrofit:
    The site’s connection to public sanitary sewers required an innovative approach due to infrastructure constraints. BKBM’s civil engineering team coordinated with the City and contractor to install a directionally bored casing pipe under Elliot Avenue, minimizing public disruption and ensuring long-term utility function.

New Apartment Construction:

  • Three-Level Wood-Framed Building:
    The new apartment building, partially below grade, provides 20 units within 19,200 gross square feet. The design incorporates terraced area wells for natural light, cantilevered basement walls to address the sunken lower level, and a robust framework for resident safety and comfort.
  • Structural & Site Solutions:
    Seemingly simple building forms presented nuanced challenges, including non-stacking exterior openings, unique brick support conditions, and a complex NE canopy element.
  • Collaborative Site Drainage:
    Drainage complexities, caused by shared alley access and limited public storm sewer depth, were creatively resolved by close coordination among BKBM civil, the architect, contractor, and mechanical team—utilizing existing sewers and reducing public street disruption.

Community Impact & Results:
The Belfry project reimagines historic community assets, seamlessly blending modern affordable housing with preserved spaces for worship and gathering. Through advanced structural and civil engineering, collaborative problem-solving, and a commitment to accessibility and sustainability, BKBM helped deliver a project that stands as a model for adaptive reuse in Minneapolis.